For a few weeks, I had a strong feeling that the baby is a boy. I woke up one morning feeling that way and it stuck. I was sure. We even have a boy name or two that we really like now. At first we struggled with boys' names, not finding anything we'd even consider.

In the midst of those few weeks, we went to Ashley & Eddie's wedding. While there, a friend of theirs told me he's 6 for 7 on predicting whether babies are girls or boys, and told me I'm having a girl. His theory? I don't look manly, so I must not have the testosterone in my system that would be there if I were growing a boy. He did assure me that when he predicts a baby to be a boy, he doesn't share his reasoning with the expectant mother. Though flattered, I brushed him off and figured that theory is nonsense. An old wives' tale, just like so many others.

Last week, on two separate nights, I had two very distinct and clear dreams that the baby is a girl. So convincing, in fact, that I woke up the first time and told Mike that we're having a girl. No question, it's fact, end of story. And then I had the second dream, equally as convincing, a couple nights later.

My parents were here for the weekend, having spent the day Friday painting the baby's room for us. The four of us went shopping at Macy's on Saturday, which also has a pea in the pod maternity store inside it. While Mom and I were looking at maternity clothes for me, Mike flipped through some pregnancy and baby books, passing the time.

After we got back home, we gave my parents a spare key to the apartment, which we'll also be doing for Mike's parents, figuring they'll want to be able to get in and out when we're at the hospital in November. He had the key laying in his flat palm, and held it out to me. I grabbed it and handed it to my parents.

"It's a boy," Mike said. Utterly confused, we asked him to explain. He had read in one of the books that if a pregnant woman picks up the key by the thin part, with the grooves, it's a girl, and if she picks it up by the fat, handle part, it's a boy. Another of those old wives' tales!

I don't know whether it's a boy or girl, my instincts keep wavering back and forth. But I do know this: I am so happy with the decision not to find out, if only because the speculation and predictions and old wives' tales are so much fun to hear!

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comments:

my friend counrtey does this "ring test" thing on people that she swears is true in predicting how many children and the sexes....she literalyl dangles a ring on a strnd of your hair and it has something to do with which was the pendulum swings...i have also heard that if someone askes you to hold out your hands, dependent if you do it palm up or down will predict what you are having....i personally think you are having a boy with the way you are carrying....just a hunch!

Now WHERE did Mike read about the "Passing of the key to the mother-to-be" theory? In an advanced tax accounting journal or some tax law written by Congress? I've never heard this theory before but it's probably just as good as all the others and made me laugh. The suspense does add an element of fun to the anticipation! One thing is for CERTAIN - you will have a boy or a girl!!! Enjoy all the fun! Love from the OTHER concerned mother/gg

You know there IS a way to find out....OK, just kidding. I had a dream that I was having a boy when I was pregnant with Avery. But, I KNEW I was having a boy with Kyle because my pregnancy was so different than the previous one. It's all a crap shoot. I can't wait to find out though!!

Pretty much everyone who shared an opinion with me said boy. The old wives tales pointed to boy too! And, I had a feeling from the very beginning that it was a boy. The surprise of Julia was so much fun in the end - I couldn't believe it for a very long time! The excitement of finding out made labor just a tiny bit better! In the meantime, enjoy all the wives tales that people tell you :)

I love the anticipation and uncertainty of not knowing too - we have just under 2 weeks to find out what we're having this time around! I think it's so funny how random strangers will give me their unsolicited 2 cents on the matter... ;)

As someone who has spent an unnaturally significant amount of time thinking about this since you made this post, I am pretty convinced you are going to have a girl. Though I meditated on it yesterday while doing my yoga routine and had a vision of you with a baby boy.